U.S. enters war with Iran, Trump says key nuclear sites wiped out
KYODO NEWS - 10 hours ago - 13:00 | All, World
U.S. airstrikes have "completely and totally obliterated" Iran's three key nuclear facilities, President Donald Trump said Saturday as Washington entered Israel's war against the Islamic Republic, threatening more attacks if Tehran does not change course.
Trump said the U.S. objective in conducting "massive precision" strikes on the facilities was "the destruction of Iran's nuclear enrichment capacity and a stop to the nuclear threat posed by the world's No. 1 state sponsor of terror."
"Tonight, I can report to the world that the strikes were a spectacular military success," Trump said in an address to the nation from the White House. "Iran's key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated."
Trump said earlier on social media that all planes had moved out of Iranian airspace, but his decision to directly involve the U.S. military in the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran could lead to a wider war.
He said "a full payload" of bombs was dropped on Fordo, a mountainous area in central Iran where the country's main underground uranium enrichment facility is located, and two other nuclear sites in Natanz and Isfahan.
The attacks came after a week of mixed signals from Trump, with Israel reportedly asking the United States to join the airstrikes it began earlier this month targeting scores of locations in Iran, including those related to Tehran's nuclear program.
His announcement that the United States had struck the nuclear facilities came after the White House said Thursday that he would make his decision on whether to bomb Iran within two weeks.
In his address, Trump thanked and congratulated Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying the United States and Israel "worked as a team like perhaps no team has ever worked before."
Trump warned that future attacks against Iran could be "far greater" if it refuses peace.
"There are many targets left," he said. "Tonight's was the most difficult of them all, by far, and perhaps the most lethal. But if peace does not come quickly, we will go after those other targets with precision, speed and skill."
The United States joining Israel's war against Iran is expected to escalate tensions, possibly including strikes on American troops and military bases in the Middle East.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a recent video message that U.S. military participation in the conflict would result in irreparable consequences.
U.S. media reported that B-2 stealth bombers and bunker-buster munitions were used in the operation, which came after Israel's attacks on Iran.
Israel's attacks that began June 13 led to retaliation by Iran, including airstrikes on Tel Aviv, leaving many civilians dead and injured on both sides.
Related coverage:
2 SDF planes leave Japan for Djibouti for possible Mideast evacuation
Xi seeks Middle East cease-fire in phone call with Putin
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Nikkei Asia
24 minutes ago
- Nikkei Asia
Pakistan decries Iran bombing day after touting Trump for Peace Prize
Pakistan said U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to bomb Iranian nuclear facilities violated international law and that diplomacy was the only way to resolve the Iran crisis. © Reuters ISLAMABAD (Reuters) -- Pakistan condemned on Sunday the strikes ordered on its neighbor Iran by Donald Trump, a day after Islamabad had said it would nominate the U.S. president for the Nobel Peace Prize. Pakistan on Sunday said Trump's decision to bomb Iranian nuclear facilities violated international law and that diplomacy was the only way to resolve the Iran crisis.
Kyodo News
3 hours ago
- Kyodo News
Japan vigilant amid Iran conflict, mum on support for U.S. attacks
KYODO NEWS - 6 hours ago - 18:31 | All, Japan Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said Sunday that Japan is monitoring with "grave concern" the developments in the Middle East after the United States attacked Iranian nuclear facilities, though he refrained from expressing immediate support for the military action taken by its closest ally. Speaking to reporters, Ishiba underscored the importance of de-escalating the situation while stressing that Iran's nuclear development must be "blocked." Japan has traditionally maintained amicable ties with Iran even as its security alliance with the United States has remained strong. Stability in the Middle East is important for resource-scarce Japan, given its heavy dependence on the region for crude oil. While no immediate impact on energy supplies has been confirmed, Ishiba said he has instructed officials to closely monitor the situation with urgency and take all necessary measures. "We are gathering and analyzing information and closely monitoring developments with grave concern," Ishiba said. Asked whether Japan backs the U.S. attacks, Ishiba said, "I will answer the question when appropriate," after holding discussions within the government on the matter. The attacks on three key nuclear facilities have brought the United States into Israel's war against Iran, with President Donald Trump saying Saturday the airstrikes had "completely and totally obliterated" the facilities. Another batch of evacuated Japanese nationals and their family members, totaling 21, arrived by bus in Azerbaijan from Iran on Sunday, with none of them having any health issues, according to the Foreign Ministry. Their departure came after 87 Japanese nationals and their family members left Iran and Israel on Thursday. Around 200 Japanese nationals remain in Iran, while around 1,000 are still in Israel, according to the ministry. Israel and Iran have been engaged in open warfare since the former attacked Iranian nuclear facilities and military targets on June 13, claiming that Iran was close to obtaining a nuclear weapon despite its denials. Related coverage: U.S. enters war with Iran, Trump says key nuclear sites wiped out 83.7% worried about Mideast conflict's impact on daily lives: poll
Kyodo News
5 hours ago
- Kyodo News
U.S. enters war with Iran, Trump says key nuclear sites wiped out
KYODO NEWS - 10 hours ago - 13:00 | All, World U.S. airstrikes have "completely and totally obliterated" Iran's three key nuclear facilities, President Donald Trump said Saturday as Washington entered Israel's war against the Islamic Republic, threatening more attacks if Tehran does not change course. Trump said the U.S. objective in conducting "massive precision" strikes on the facilities was "the destruction of Iran's nuclear enrichment capacity and a stop to the nuclear threat posed by the world's No. 1 state sponsor of terror." "Tonight, I can report to the world that the strikes were a spectacular military success," Trump said in an address to the nation from the White House. "Iran's key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated." Trump said earlier on social media that all planes had moved out of Iranian airspace, but his decision to directly involve the U.S. military in the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran could lead to a wider war. He said "a full payload" of bombs was dropped on Fordo, a mountainous area in central Iran where the country's main underground uranium enrichment facility is located, and two other nuclear sites in Natanz and Isfahan. The attacks came after a week of mixed signals from Trump, with Israel reportedly asking the United States to join the airstrikes it began earlier this month targeting scores of locations in Iran, including those related to Tehran's nuclear program. His announcement that the United States had struck the nuclear facilities came after the White House said Thursday that he would make his decision on whether to bomb Iran within two weeks. In his address, Trump thanked and congratulated Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying the United States and Israel "worked as a team like perhaps no team has ever worked before." Trump warned that future attacks against Iran could be "far greater" if it refuses peace. "There are many targets left," he said. "Tonight's was the most difficult of them all, by far, and perhaps the most lethal. But if peace does not come quickly, we will go after those other targets with precision, speed and skill." The United States joining Israel's war against Iran is expected to escalate tensions, possibly including strikes on American troops and military bases in the Middle East. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a recent video message that U.S. military participation in the conflict would result in irreparable consequences. U.S. media reported that B-2 stealth bombers and bunker-buster munitions were used in the operation, which came after Israel's attacks on Iran. Israel's attacks that began June 13 led to retaliation by Iran, including airstrikes on Tel Aviv, leaving many civilians dead and injured on both sides. Related coverage: 2 SDF planes leave Japan for Djibouti for possible Mideast evacuation Xi seeks Middle East cease-fire in phone call with Putin
